Slymoids
Platform: TI-99/4A
Region: USA
Media: Cartridge
Controller: Joystick
Genre: Shoot 'em Up - Action - Side-Scrolling
Gametype: Licensed
Release Year: 1984
Developer: Texas Instruments
Publisher: Texas Instruments
Players: 1
Programmer: James R. Von
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You are the last defense against the hordes of alien Slymoids. Equipped with your handy Slymoid Scanner and Laser Fireball Gun, locate and destroy these strange life forms. But beware! The crafty Slymoids have turned spiders, bats, and even rocks against you!

Trivia:

James Von Ehr II programmed this game along with Sneggit all on his own free time. He was not part of the TI-99/4A development group and as a matter of fact did not even work in the building where the 99/4A was being produced. He instead was working on IC Layout and submitted his games to the 99/4A group through a producer (quite possibly Bob Hendren who designed Moon Mine). One question comes to mind after all these years...What was James doing working on IC Layout instead of developing games for the 99/4A? He was an excellent programmer and designer that would have brought some really neat game ideas to the table, especially if he started working in the 99/4A group since the machine's launch.

Here's an interesting factoid from James Von Ehr II, "TI was worried about the theme music, thinking I swiped it from someone (guess it seemed too good for a programmer nerd). I actually had composed a crude version of it a couple of years earlier on my home-built analog synthesizer, controlled by an Apple II computer running my custom software."

Easter Egg Alert! Even though James Von Ehr II is credited as being the programmer on Slymoids' title screen, there is still an Easter Egg hidden in the game. Inside of the castle the initials "JVONEHR" and "GVONEHR" can be found on the frame surrounding the swords hanging on the wall (see the last screen shot above). Obviously, "JVONEHR" stands for programmer James Von Ehr II, however, "GVONEHR" is a little trickier to figure out unless you know a little bit about the guy...It stands for his wife Gayla. She helped provide some design suggestions for the game, and in return he included her initials on the sword frame.
